| Common Name: |
Thyme |
| Botanical Name: |
Thymus vulgaris |
| Family: |
Labiatae |
| Location: |
United States, Algeria, France, Morocco, Israel, Spain, Tunisia, Turkey. |
| Direction: |
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| Planet: |
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| Element: |
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| Magical Effects: |
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| History: |
Common thyme and wild thyme—often used interchangeably and referred to simply as "thyme"—have been celebrated in medicine and myth for over 2,000 years. Both the ancient Greeks and Romans used thyme to treat indigestion, hangovers, insect bites, and "melancholy". The ancients also burned thyme as a sacred offering to their gods, and as an insect repellent. In fact, many scholars believe thyme's genus name is originally from the ancient Greek word for "fumigate". However, thyme was also strongly associated with courage and strength—Roman soldiers commonly bathed in a thyme herbal bath before going out to battle—and the herb's Latin name is most likely from the Greek thumos, for "bravery". Thyme's symbolic association with bravery carried through to the Middle Ages. Medieval ladies at court traditionally embroidered special scarves with a sprig of thyme and then gave the scarves to their knights before the men left for war. The ancient Egyptians used thyme in their embalming fluids, and since then thyme has been additionally linked to death and spirits. In Britain, thyme was the major ingredient in a magical potion that allowed the user to see elves and fairies. Another strongly held folk belief was that thyme "inhabited" the souls of those who had been murdered or who had met a violent death; many people claimed you could smell the scent of thyme wherever those poor souls had met their demise. Some people still believe that growing thyme indoors invites illness or death into the family. |
| Extraction: |
Steam Distillation |
| Parts Used: |
Leaves and flowering tops |
| Color and Odor: |
The essential oil is pale yellow in color with a warm, spicy-herbaceous and powerful aroma. |
| Background: |
Long known to the early Greeks and Romans for its antiseptic properties. Thyme is much used in cooking for its flavor and is popularly grown in the warmer parts of the Mediterranean region. |
| Note: |
An essential oil of wild thyme which is distilled from Thymus serpyllum has similar properties to the essential oil of Thymus vulgaris. |
| Properties: |
Digestive, stimulant, antiseptic, diuretic, and expectorant. |
| Precaution: |
This oil is best used in lower concentrations as it may cause irritation in sensitive people. |
| Magical Influences: |
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| Uses: |
- Digestive Sytem—Helps with sluggish digestion, its antiseptic properties are valuable in gastric and intestinal infections. Stimulates the appetite, especially during convalescence.
- Urinary System—Thyme is a diuretic and is useful for all infections of the bladder and urinary tract.
- Circulatory Sytem—Stimulates circulation and raises low blood pressure.
- Respiratory System—Useful for all respiratory infections including mouth and throat infections. Excellent for removing mucus in cases of both chronic and acute bronchitis.
- Skin—Helpful with wounds, sores, boils, and carbuncles. Thyme is a tonic for the scalp.
- Emotions—Cheers the heart, lifts the spirits and promotes courage. The scent prevents nightmares or negative dreams. Very useful for people who tend to indulge in fantasies or daydreams, helping them to focus intellectually.
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| Medicinal Use: |
Common and wild thyme have antiseptic, antispasmodic, digestive, diuretic, expectorant, warming, stomach-soothing, and sweat-promoting properties. Common thyme also has antidepressant and antifungal actions, and wild thyme is taken internally for asthma, bronchitis, coughs, colic, gastritis, headaches (especially tension headaches), indigestion, laryngitis, muscle pain and spasms, and whooping cough. Common thyme is also taken internally to treat depression, diarrhea, and enuresis (bed-wetting); wild thyme is used internally for alcohol or drug withdrawal, anxiety, hangovers, insomnia, painful menstrual periods, and stress. Both common and wild thyme may be used externally—in creams, gargles, or oils—to treat arthritic and rheumatic pain and swelling, bruises, gingivitis (gum disease), minor skin infections and wounds, muscle aches and strains, and sore throats. The oil extracted from common thyme may also be used externally to remove warts. |
| Preparation: |
Common and wild thyme are available as dried herb and in capsules, oils, teas, and tinctures. To make a tea, pour 1 cup of boiling water over 1 teaspoon of dried herb and steep for 10 minutes. Strain, and drink up to 2 cups a day. For tension headaches, allow tea to cool completely. |
| Blends: |
| DIGESTIVE |
URINARY |
CIRCULATORY |
| Thyme 5 |
Thyme 5 |
Thyme 5 |
| Bergamot 5 |
Celery 4 |
Black Pepper 3 |
| Chamomile (R) 2 |
Juniper 3 |
Rosemary 2 |
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| RESPIRATORY |
SKIN |
EMOTION |
| Thyme 5 |
Thyme 3 |
Thyme 4 |
| Myrrh 3 |
Tea Tree 2 |
Grapefruit 4 |
| Sage 2 |
Lime 2 |
Cedarwood 3 |
| Caution: |
Do not take common or wild thyme medicinally if you are pregnant or trying to conceive. Use thyme oil with caution. It can irritate the skin and mucous membranes and may cause allergic reactions in sensitive individuals. |
| Bibliography: |
Aromatherapy Blends and Remedies by Franzesca Watson Copyright ©: 1995 Thorsons, Harper Collins Publishers, Inc. pp.174-175
The Modern Herbal Primer by Nancy Burke Copyright©2000 Yankee Publishing, Inc. pp. 127-128 |
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